Former Manchester United and England defender Phil Jones graduated from the PFA Business School on Tuesday.
Phil Jones left boyhood club Blackburn Rovers to sign for Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2011.
The 33-year-old spent 12 years at Old Trafford and also won the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League.
Although Jones arrived at United with plenty of promise, injury issues slowly made him a fringe player in the team, and he retired in August 2024 after failing to make a single appearance under former United manager Erik ten Hag.
Jones has since been pursuing a coaching career and has been involved with United’s youth teams in an attempt to secure a UEFA Pro License.
Phil Jones coaching Manchester United youths
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Phil Jones graduates from PFA Business School
Jones is eyeing a career change that could see him remain in football.
After graduating from the PFA Business School, Jones picked up his Diploma in Sport Directorship at a ceremony held at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.
Former Manchester United and England defender Phil Jones graduated from the PFA Business School yesterday. 🎓
Congratulations on securing your Diploma in Sport Directorship, Phil.👏 pic.twitter.com/EImY5L5SAJ
— PFA (@PFA) September 16, 2025
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After receiving his diploma, Jones said (via The Sun): “It’s a proud moment for me to graduate today.
“This is something I decided I wanted to do when I retired. I’ve really enjoyed it, it’s been a good networking opportunity as well as an educational one, and I’m really excited about what doors it opens up in the future.
“When I finished playing, I asked myself: ‘Well, what do I do now?’. I like the coaching side of the game, and I’m still really ambitious about that, but I needed something else as well. This gave me a focus which is what I needed at the time.
“I reached out to the PFA when I heard about the course and it’s something that I was passionate about doing; something I could get my teeth into.
“The technical aspects of the sporting directorship role I really admire, and maybe in the future it’s a role that I’d like to fill.”
Jones could take inspiration from United’s sporting director Jason Wilcox, given he could step into a directorship role as a Premier League winner.
Wilcox won the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers in 1995, while Jones was part of Ferguson’s last title-winning side in 2013.
Prior to arriving at Old Trafford as part of Ineos’ hierarchy, Wilcox went from youth team coach to academy director at Man City.
In 2023, Wilcox became director of football at Southampton and left a year later to join United as technical director.
Wilcox was eventually appointed director of football following Dan Ashworth’s exit.
Benni McCarthy reacts to Jones’ latest achievement
Jones took to Instagram to share his diploma news.
Many congratulated Jones on his latest achievement, including former United coach Benni McCarthy, who was initially part of Ten Hag’s backroom staff.
McCarthy wrote: “Congrats mate,” along with two clapping hands emoji.
Former United winger Antonio Valencia commented with three clapping hands emojis, while Bruno Fernandes liked the post.